Business owners stayed cautious before election

Small business owners remained cautious in October as they awaited the outcome of the presidential election, according to a survey released Tuesday by the National Federation of Independent Business. The NFIB's index of owner optimism rose 0.3 point to 93.1. It has fluctuated in a narrow range since the recession officially ended in June 2009. More at the AP.

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Average credit card debt down 22% in a year in South Florida

The average credit card debt fell 22 percent in a year in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale metropolitan area and is now at $4,644 as of October, reported Credit Karma, a consumer website. Last month's average credit card debt dropped nearly $1,300 from the $5,940 average reported for Broward and Miami-Dade counties in October 2011, according to a national survey by the website. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

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AAA: Thanksgiving travel should increase slightly

The number of Americans hitting the road this Thanksgiving is expected to increase slightly from a year ago.

Health Alert Baby boomers: The hooked generation? Local and national figures show that more people in their 50s and 60s are abusing illegal and prescription drugs. While the use of illicit drugs remains relatively uncommon among people 65 and older, the number of illicit drug users 50 to 59 years old tripled between 2002 and 2011, from 900,000 to 2.7 million, according to the National Institutes of Health. The increase even prompted the NIH to post its first consumer alert on its website, NIHSeniorHealth. » More from the Miami Herald.

But they'll take shorter trips to save on gas and other costs as household budgets remain tight. AAA says Tuesday in its annual Thanksgiving forecast that a stronger economy is needed to spur a bigger jump in holiday travel growth. More at the AP.

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Think local, former U.N. leader tells Miami forum

In the Ritz-Carlton ballroom in Coconut Grove on Monday, Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations, addressed a crowd of well-dressed world savers to open the Continuity Forum of the Americas Business Council. More at the Miami Herald.

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Hispanic Achievement Awards celebrate contributions, commitment

Community strength and commitment will lead the way as Lee County’s businesses hit their stride in the year ahead, speakers said Monday at the 13th annual Hispanic Achievement Awards & Hall of Fame Banquet. More at the Fort Myers News-Press.

Tech Trend Looking for a parking space? Check your phone Frustrated motorists circling downtown Fort Lauderdale in search of an open parking space can now turn to their mobile phones for help. A free smartphone app that launched Monday will show them in real time where the open spaces are and how to get to them. Streetline, the company that produces the Parker app, says Fort Lauderdale now has the first sensor-based parking system in the state. » Full story from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel